Srinagar, July 12 -- Srinagar - Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the former Emir of Qatar who transformed the tiny Gulf state from an obscure desert nation into one of the world's most influential diplomatic, financial and geopolitical players, died on Saturday at the age of 74, state media reported.

The state-run Qatar News Agency announced his death but did not disclose the cause.

Sheikh Hamad ruled Qatar from 1995 until his voluntary abdication in June 2013, becoming the first Gulf monarch in modern history to peacefully hand over power to his son while still alive.

During his 18-year reign, he fundamentally reshaped Qatar's global standing by leveraging its vast natural gas wealth to build international influence through diplomac...